Science Laboratory Renovation and Science Manual Creation
This project is designed to introduce and or enhance the teaching of science in Cambodian high schools. The project has two aims; to renovate a classroom into a safe, secure, and suitable science laboratory for teaching science, and to facilitate the teaching of science using the bilingual Science Toolkit and Lesson Guide that provides information on common materials found in a science lab, comprehensive information about various science topics, and lessons with hands-on experiments.
How to:
Step 1: Build a Science Laboratory
Identify if your school wants and will support this project, and then identify a suitable space. Ask your school director and other teachers if a science laboratory seems like something the school will use. Their support is the key to sustainability.
Step 2: Find Out if Science Equipment is Available
Ask your school director if the school has received packages of science supplies from the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports. If your school has boxes of science equipment, record the materials in a spreadsheet for later use. If your school does not have the boxes, there may be limitations on the lesson plans possible.
Step 3: Clean and Prepare the Laboratory Room
The state of the space provided determines for how much work must be done to make the space suitable. Reinforcing the doors and windows for security is a good idea to protect the valuable materials that will be in the laboratory. Obtaining lockable high quality shelves are important for maintaining the quality of the materials. Cleaning and painting are often needed to prepare the room for use. This space is also a good opportunity for painting murals related to science (solar system, a cut-away of the earth’s crust, etc.). Ask around for desks and tables to furnish the room. Organize the materials with labels and assigned placement so materials go in the correct spot and are easy to find.
Step 4: Obtain the Science Toolkit and Lesson Guide and Understand the Materials
Download the Science Toolkit and Lesson Guide and obtain any other materials you may need to provide the information needed teaching lessons in the new science laboratory. It is suggested you go over the materials with one or two counterparts or teachers who speak English in order to clearly inform them about the materials and how to use them. If you are not real familiar with science, do not worry! The Science Toolkit and Lesson Guide provides all the background information you need in both English and Khmer to teach the lessons.
Step 5: Large Group Teacher Trainings
Ask the school director to help you organize formal meetings with the science teachers who plan to use the laboratory in order to teach them about the use of the toolkit and materials, and how to teach in a laboratory classroom setting. Demonstrate by teaching some of the lessons from the toolkit that the teachers will be using in their classes.
Step 6: Observe a Few Lessons
K6 PCV Amanda Arand working with students during a science lesson
Work with your science teachers in the laboratory observing and assisting them as they teach lessons
Step 7: Monitor the Laboratory and the Use of Materials
It is important to monitor the use of the materials and how the teachers are teaching the lessons over time.
Resource List
The following items offer new avenues to learning in a quick, simple way. Only a few of these items are necessary for one to get science projects started!
- Important resources that are not found at the local market: microscopes, pre-made slides, blank slides, cover slips, beakers, scale, droppers, life-size human body with removable organs, rock sample kit.
- Resources found at the local market: vinegar, chicken bones, straws, jars, vegetable oil, soap, string, mirrors, glue, copper tubes.
- Resources found in larger cities in Cambodia: flour, baking soda, plastic wrap.
- A key resource is the Science Toolkit and Lesson Guide that is found in PDF format, easily downloaded here and printed for under $5 a copy!
Secondary Projects 